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Infinte Idealization and Contextual Realism

Liu, Chuang (2018) Infinte Idealization and Contextual Realism. Synthese. ISSN 1573-0964

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Abstract

The paper discusses the recent literature on abstraction/idealization in connection with
the \paradox of infinite idealization." We use the case of taking thermodynamics limit
in dealing with the phenomena of phase transition and critical phenomena to broach
the subject. We then argue that the method of infinite idealization is widely used
in the practice of science, and not all uses of the method are the same (or evoke the
same philosophical problems). We then confront the compatibility problem of infinite
idealization with scientific realism. We propose and defend a contextualist position
for (local) realism and argue that the cases for infinite idealization appear to be fully
compatible with contextual realism.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Liu, Chuanglogics@ufl.edu
Keywords: idealization, abstraction, infinite, realism, contextual
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Chuang Liu
Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2018 16:48
Last Modified: 13 Apr 2018 16:48
Item ID: 14554
Journal or Publication Title: Synthese
Publisher: Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.)
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 2018
ISSN: 1573-0964
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14554

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